Sunday, 26 November 2017

Director’s Michael Mackenzie’s theatrical adaptation and translation of
the original screenplay of internationally admired, acclaimed and award-winning
filmmaker Denis Côté.

Performed by:

Julie Tamiko Manning as Vic(toria)

Natalie Liconti as Flo(rence)

Leslie Baker as Jackie

Alexandre Lavingne as Daniel

Synopsis:

Photograph : Maxime Côté

Victoria has just been released on parole. She had been serving a life
sentence for murder. She goes to her Uncle’s cabin in the backwoods. Her main
concern is to start again and live the rest of her life in peace and quiet. Florence,
her much younger lover and also an ex-con, arrives unexpectedly but welcomed
with a bit of trepidation. Florence is apparently hiding something from
Victoria. As well Victoria's parole officer keeps popping up at the most
inopportune moments. Further complications arise when the shadows of Florence’s
past begin to disrupt the couple’s quest for intimacy.

Commentaries:

Photograph : Maxime Côté

Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to see the film version as of
this moment. Therefore I am unable to make any valid comments in regards to the
adaptation itself.

Granted, due to budgetary constraints and other factors, set design must
be scaled down, but must be functional enough to stimulate the audience’s imagination.
Sound design must enhance this. As well certain characters and background plots
must be dropped. This must be done in a way that the theatrical version could stand
on its own as do many cinematic adaptations (whether from theatre or books). Most
importantly, the performance must be near to perfection. Overall, the end result
must reflect the spirit of the original.

Overall, I found the play to be enjoyable, well acted and well written.
It engaged my attention throughout. The characters showed depth and were superbly
interpreted by all, with the possible exception of Alexandre Lavingne’s. I did notice
a few errors in dialogue and some out of character elements in the representation
I attended (Thursday, November 23rd). Hopefully they were noticed and have since
been corrected.

I do hope to be able to see the original work – I would definitely do a
more valid re-evaluation of the theatrical adaptation.

Monday, 20 November 2017

Tali “Icepack” Jackson
has been in the music business for over 50 years. Throughout his career, he has
performed/recorded with many legendary musicians from many genres such as Bob
Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Mike Bloomfield and many more. CLICK HERE
for a more complete list.

BK2BIZ
is “Icepack” Jackson’s
follow-up to BK2SQ1, and as such sticks to the same winning formula – a
track-list that shows his eclectic and extensive knowledge of the blues with
great vocals, engaging guitar or sax solos and a rhythm section that brings the
listener into his world. Accompanied
by a world-class roster of musicians that include no less than nine
gold record holders, Grammy Award Winners and Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famers, he dishes out a delicious gumbo style mix of
traditional blues with satisfying doses of jazz, rock, soul and funk, with a
dash of bayou, reggae and world beat.

Tali “Icepack” Jackson
is definitely my “find of 2017.”A very
enjoyable and uplifting music that is guaranteed to have you sing along on the
vocals or hum along with the instrumental parts.

Tuesday, 14 November 2017

A monthly
chronicle of films (features, medium or shorts) seen throughout the current
month from any source. Commentaries will be limited to 99 words or less. Film
festivals will be hyperlinked. If time permits certain films will be elaborated
on and be posted under the label “Film Box Office” (100-399 words) or “Film
Review” (400 or more) (number of words based on English only).

Suburbicon
was originally written by the Coen Brothers in 1986. Many of their trademark
characteristics are still apparent. It consists of two distinct narratives –
both intended to ‘peel the paint’ off the wall in order to reveal the ‘true’
nature of the American Dream. This resulted in a finished product that was
entertaining but uneven. Kasra Farahani’s Tilt (seen earlier this year) was
much more effective.

Suburbicon is a quiet and safe community in
the Midwest – an ideal self-contained neighbourhood to raise a family. This is until
a black family moves in and a fatal home invasion takes place.

This fresco-like documentary is a very disturbing portraiture of the reality
of cannibalism among humans.

In 1981, Issei Sagawa killed and ate 25-year-old Dutch classmate Renée
Hartevelt, a fellow classmate while studying literature in France. The judge
rules insanity. Sagawa is deported back to Japan. The Japanese authorities
declare him sane but are unable to prosecute him. Thus he profits from his
crime while his victim’s family must live with their loss – an infuriating and
disgusting case of injustice.

Not for the weak-hearted or overly-sensitive
and bound to be controversial. The filmmakers interview him along with his brother
Jun.

80% of the Syrian refugees in Zaatari camp, located in the heart of Jordan, are children.
Children are exceptionally better adept at coping with harsh situations than
adults. Because time is essentially on their side, they can adapt the elements
around them into makeshift toys, games, shelters, etcetera. This allows them to
enjoy their lives despite the hardships they endure. The filmmaker follows four
of these children. 10-year-old Ferras works hard and is troubled by her
father’s remarriage. Fatma loves makeup and roosters. Miriam wants to be an
actress despite her father’s objections. Hammoudi
highly treasures his soon-to-be-born brother.

Nancy's Books are sold on Kindle or you can email her at hovecreekproductions@gmail.com

Beyond the Dream: Epic Solitude - Nancy's collection of Poetry & short stories. Contact hovecreekproductions@gmail.com or Click on image to read article. Here is the link to Martin Barry's article: http://martincbarry.weebly.com. Book is also available on Amazon Kindle

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Nancy Snipper's CDs available

Nancy Snipper is also an accomplished singer/songwriter – banjo player and classical pianist. Her three CDs have garnered much media praise along with her performances (Canada, Mexico, Cuba). Her voice is astoundingly beautiful – velvety in her blues numbers, sensual and sizzling in her folk, rock and country compositions. Now you can own one of her CDs. For enquiries about owning her CDs and/or booking performances contact her at this email: hovecreekproductions@gmail.com. Her CDs help raise money for cancer research.

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Collaborators / Collaborateurs:

Sylvain Richard

Nancy Snipper

Note / Nota:

July 10, 2016:The beginning of a new and exciting chapter! Nancy Snipper's (a.k.a S.N.) first posting on her own blog: http://sntravelandartswithoutborders.blogspot.ca/**********************************************To see all articles on a specific topic, scroll down to LABELS and click on desired LABEL. Full articles will appear one after the other that pertain to that label.Keep scrolling down to view more articles, and at end of page, click on OLDER POSTS to read more.Enjoy!